VIrgin America: Pretty but still Rough around the Edges
The problem about an agressive marketing team and an insufficient support group is you run into the danger of an overpromise.
Now Virgin America was hell-bent on shaking up the US aviation industry. They licensed the big bold brand name of Virgin (and that was a PR circus in itself), they started a price war with top budget players JetBlue and Southwest, and they promised a flying experience unlike anyother many months in advance due to extensive consumer research.
Result?
They had a dazzling website that was simple to use, and honest-to-goodness fare computations.
They offered simple to understand terms and conditions.
They offered an basic inflight experience where everything from the seat's comfort, the food, the personal entertainement offered top notch with an innovation like -- wait for it -- in-seat texting!
Then the First Class perks offered even more "unique" perks: massaging seats with soft white leather, free movies and free food! (Lke, Wow! Hahaha)
They had an early sign-up for a soon-to-be-launched loyalty program with promised mysterious "better-than-normal" rewards.
Oh, and they remind you to check-in online 23 hours before you check in.
Not to forget the perky FAs with a sense of humor. (Case in point: they go around with the trash bag asking for "donations")
I had to admit though, their marketing and advertising is pretty snazzy...and they have the most amusingly sarcastic safety video ever. Copywriter's orgasm with this quips like, "Just in case you're part of the .0001% who have NEVER used a seatbelt before..." and "Take a moment to look at the exits...it'll only take a second. Go on...we'll wait." and "Take note that the seat cushion is not a floatation device...so do NOT take it with you."
Cuteness has no end.
My only gripe though is that they suffer with the same mediocre service support of other airlines...no lounges means you wait with the rest of sheep at the gate, flights are delayed, and in our case...your bags are left behind in the last airport of your connecting flight! Then again...you could always say...it could be far worse...and less unpleasantness deserves positive attention.
Oh well, maybe these are just birth pains, and they do live up to their mission, their razzle-dazzle and all that jazz.
Now Virgin America was hell-bent on shaking up the US aviation industry. They licensed the big bold brand name of Virgin (and that was a PR circus in itself), they started a price war with top budget players JetBlue and Southwest, and they promised a flying experience unlike anyother many months in advance due to extensive consumer research.
Result?
They had a dazzling website that was simple to use, and honest-to-goodness fare computations.
They offered simple to understand terms and conditions.
They offered an basic inflight experience where everything from the seat's comfort, the food, the personal entertainement offered top notch with an innovation like -- wait for it -- in-seat texting!
Then the First Class perks offered even more "unique" perks: massaging seats with soft white leather, free movies and free food! (Lke, Wow! Hahaha)
They had an early sign-up for a soon-to-be-launched loyalty program with promised mysterious "better-than-normal" rewards.
Oh, and they remind you to check-in online 23 hours before you check in.
Not to forget the perky FAs with a sense of humor. (Case in point: they go around with the trash bag asking for "donations")
I had to admit though, their marketing and advertising is pretty snazzy...and they have the most amusingly sarcastic safety video ever. Copywriter's orgasm with this quips like, "Just in case you're part of the .0001% who have NEVER used a seatbelt before..." and "Take a moment to look at the exits...it'll only take a second. Go on...we'll wait." and "Take note that the seat cushion is not a floatation device...so do NOT take it with you."
Cuteness has no end.
My only gripe though is that they suffer with the same mediocre service support of other airlines...no lounges means you wait with the rest of sheep at the gate, flights are delayed, and in our case...your bags are left behind in the last airport of your connecting flight! Then again...you could always say...it could be far worse...and less unpleasantness deserves positive attention.
Oh well, maybe these are just birth pains, and they do live up to their mission, their razzle-dazzle and all that jazz.